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“If we were able to keep everyone’s blood pressure under control in the United States, the number of new strokes and heart attacks would go down just exponentially,” he said. Two features likely played a big role in the program’s success: In 2005, the region started using a single generic pill combining two common blood pressure drugs, lisinopril and a diuretic. The pill is less expensive than taking the two medicines separately, and easier to use. And in 2007, the program began offering free follow-up visits with medical assistants, rather than doctors, checking blood pressure readings. Besides charging no insurance copayment, these brief visits were available at more flexible times, increasing chances that patients would stick with the program. “Patients really liked it because it was shorter, more convenient and more affordable,” Jaffe said. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57599544/eliminating-copays-helps-reduce-blood-pressure-in-kaiser-permanente-study/

It created a registry of adult members with high blood pressure, based on medical records. At the start, about 44 percent of 235,000 registry patients had their blood pressure under control. The registry grew and by 2009, the portion under control reached 80 percent of 353,000 patients. That compares to 64 percent of people with blood pressure problems nationwide. Two features likely played a big role in the programs success: In 2005, the region started using a single generic pill combining two common blood pressure drugs, lisinopril and a diuretic. The pill is less expensive than taking the two medicines separately, and easier to use. And in 2007, the program began offering free follow-up visits with medical assistants, rather than doctors, checking blood pressure readings. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-08-22/national/41435505_1_blood-heart-attacks-and-strokes-heart-disease

‘Hypervigilance’ about race linked to blood pressure

It doesn’t appear to be genetic, and while things like diet, exercise, and reduced access to health care may contribute, we think that a tense social environment, the sense of being treated differently because of your race, could also possibly explain some of what’s behind the higher rates.” Cooper says the issue of such hypervigilance and race consciousness has drawn more public attention in the wake of the killing of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager, in Florida. Her own African-American son, she says, is very aware of his surroundings. “It’s stressful for him to walk around thinking at any time someone might think he’s doing something wrong just because of his race,” she says. “That’s just something he lives with. If you don’t live with it, maybe it’s hard to understand it. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://hub.jhu.edu/gazette/2013/september/news-race-linked-to-blood-pressure

Correction: Blood Pressure story

Send your photos, video, news & views by texting COUNTY GAZETTE to 80360 or email us Search: Blood pressure call to Somerset residents 6:30pm Sunday 1st September 2013 in Taunton Blood pressure call to Somerset residents PEOPLE across Somerset are being urged to check their blood pressure as part of a campaign beginning this month. The Know your Numbers drive will see free blood pressure checks and advice for adults during the second week of September. Somerset county councillor Sam Crabb said: Pressure stations are located throughout the community, including pharmacies, health clubs, leisure centres, shopping centres and supermarkets. With 16million people in the UK believed to have high blood pressure, initiatives such as Know your Numbers Week are important at raising awareness. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/taunton_news/10645395.Blood_pressure_call_to_Somerset_residents/